Advice From Connecticut's 2014 Commencement Speakers

Cloe Poisson / Hartford Courant

"It's cynicism that says we're powerless to effect real change, and that the era of American leadership is over. I don't believe that for a second, and neither does President Obama. We refuse to limit our vision of the possibilities for our country, and so should you. Together we have to all refuse to accept the downsizing of America's role in a very complicated world. "I happen to love T.S. Eliot's "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," one of my favorite poems. And I respectfully challenge you to never wind up fretfully musing as Prufrock did: "Do I dare disturb the universe? In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse." Class of 2014: Your job is to disturb the universe."

"It's cynicism that says we're powerless to effect real change, and that the era of American leadership is over. I don't believe that for a second, and neither does President Obama. We refuse to limit our vision of the possibilities for our country, and so should you. Together we have to all refuse to accept the downsizing of America's role in a very complicated world. "I happen to love T.S. Eliot's "Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock," one of my favorite poems. And I respectfully challenge you to never wind up fretfully musing as Prufrock did: "Do I dare disturb the universe? In a minute there is time for decisions and revisions which a minute will reverse." Class of 2014: Your job is to disturb the universe." (Cloe Poisson / Hartford Courant)

"I know you're capable and I know darn well that you're passionate about what your field of endeavor is going to be. But there's going be a lot of 'no's' and 'Sorry, you didn't make it this time.' But never give up. Babe Ruth said, 'It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.' As you leave campus today, remember that."

"I know you're capable and I know darn well that you're passionate about what your field of endeavor is going to be. But there's going be a lot of 'no's' and 'Sorry, you didn't make it this time.' But never give up. Babe Ruth said, 'It's hard to beat a person who never gives up.' As you leave campus today, remember that." (Mikaela Porter / Hartford Courant)